Defence​

The South Australian defence manufacturing industry employs 2,700 people, which is 0.3% of the state’s workforce.

It supports Australia’s armed forces by building technologically advanced machines and equipment for aircraft, watercraft, vehicles, navigation systems and computer control systems.

South Australia is the Defence State, with billions of dollars of advanced manufacturing projects underway. The diverse and growing defence industry is expected to provide significant employment opportunities for many years to come.

Current work includes the completion of three Air Warfare Destroyers in 2017 and 2018, and ongoing maintenance of the Collins Class Submarines well into the 2030s. Major projects in the pipeline include construction of twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels from 2018, nine Frigates from 2020, and twelve Short Fin Barracuda Submarines from 2023.

Seventy-two per cent of Australian defence companies are located in Adelaide with most jobs located in the northern metropolitan area.

Techport Australia at Osborne is the main site for naval shipbuilding in Australia and Technology Park at Mawson Lakes is a key location for defence electronics activity (systems integration, communications, software development, electronic warfare). The industry also has a large number of engineering and manufacturing companies throughout the northern metropolitan area that supply components and equipment to local, national and international companies.

Job openings for skilled workers

Quick facts about this industry

Science and maths are important for training and work in this industry.

Most people work full-time.

Most people have a certificate III or higher qualification and over 40% hold a bachelor degree or higher qualification.

About 90% of workers are men, and women are encouraged to join.

People are generally younger than those in other industries.

Many defence projects have a national security classification that requires a security clearance — this can involve examining many aspects of your life, including your family and acquaintances, depending on the level of security clearance required.

As people in this industry are highly skilled and subject to security clearances, wages are very competitive.

School options

Ask your Vocational Education and Training (VET) Coordinator at school for information about doing vocational education during the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), including the Training Guarantee for SACE (or equivalent) students. Visit the VET section of the SACE website for training options in:

Electrotechnology

Engineering

Information technology

Manufacturing

Vocational qualifications include:

Electrotechnology

Certificate II in Electronics

Certificate III in Electronics and Communications

Certificates II – IV in Electrotechnology

Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control

Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control

Certificate III in Custom Electronics Installations

Certificate IV in Electrical with specialisations in instrumentation and data and voice communications

Information and communication technology

Certificates II and III in Telecommunications Technology

Certificate IV in Computer Systems Technology

Certificate IV in Telecommunications Engineering Technology

Certificate IV in Programming

Diploma of Telecommunications Engineering

Diploma of Telecommunications Engineering

Advanced Diploma of Network Security

Advanced Diploma of Telecommunications Network Engineering

Metals and engineering

Certificate III in Engineering

Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering

Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Apply to study

Dual Offer courses enable you to apply through SATAC for a TAFE SA qualification and a connected university program in one application, and receive an offer for both. Dual Offers are available for selected courses at a number of TAFE SA regional and metropolitan campuses.

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Welcome to our new website for career, training, apprenticeship and traineeship, funding and workforce information. Training providers and apprenticeship and traineeship users can log in to STELA, ATIS and their Skills for All Provider Application from this home page.

For information about Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology policies, science, research and digital technology services, and news releases visit www.dfeest.sa.gov.au.